Food processing covers everything from the straightforward transformation of agricultural products into food through activities such as peeling and cooking produce to combining food ingredients for ready-made food and meals. Today, it provides the consumer with a wide variety of food choices in settings such as restaurants, grocery stores, vending machines, etc.
Gaining and maintaining consumer trust in the quality of processed food is key for the companies in the food industry; brand integrity can add significant value to the end price. In addition, food safety is often highly regulated. The consequences of contaminated food products, therefore, can be costly on both fronts: consumer confidence and regulatory compliance. In addition, foreign contaminants can lead to significant amounts of food being recalled. For example, according to the USDA, in November of last year, nearly 15 tons of chicken nuggets were recalled by one food provider due to extraneous materials found in the food. In March 2024, over 17 ½ tons of turkey sausage products were recalled due to suspected rubber contamination.
This backdrop underscores the critical need for foreign body identification (FBI) — a proactive approach to addressing foreign body contamination once it’s discovered. FBI essentially means identifying the contaminant as a means of finding its source so the contamination can be addressed before further food processing is impacted. Yet finding out where a foreign body came from is an investigative process that isn’t always easy. Luckily there are good technologies to aid the task.
FBI Technologies: Key Players in the Fight Against Contamination
Two complementary technologies at the forefront of FBI efforts are handheld X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry. Together, they cover a lot of ground toward identifying foreign body contaminants in food.
XRF analysis is a non-destructive analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. When deployed in a handheld analyzer, food producers can use it directly on the food processing line to analyze pieces of metal, glass, stones, bones, rubber and hard plastic. Contaminant information can then point to potential sources of contamination, and it can be stored for future reference.
Typically, foreign body contaminants are discovered by online inspection equipment or by consumer complaints. Food companies can analyze a sample of the contaminant with a handheld XRF analyzer and run the results against a library of known substances, including any previous contaminants that were identified previously and stored in the analyzer’s data library. The analyzer can help measure chemical composition of the contaminants, and it can identify very small variances in materials – even batch to batch.
Examples of handheld XRF analysis in food processing include:
- Determine whether the foreign body contamination originated on the food processing line or from an external source such as raw or partially processed ingredients, food packaging, external contractors, etc.
- Identify specific equipment that may have broken down during processing contaminating the food with foreign bodies such as pieces of metal mesh or slicing blades
- Verify whether foreign body contamination originated at a processing site or from other sources such as food transportation systems or food preparation
FTIR Spectrometry covers a wide range of chemical applications, especially for polymers and organic compounds. It works by passing infrared radiation through a sample to obtain a spectrum which represents a molecular “fingerprint” of the sample. The spectrum can be run through a spectral library to help identify the contaminant.
Food manufacturers can utilize FTIR spectrometry and microscopy to discriminate between polymers, small molecule organics and some inorganic compounds. Analyzing a contaminant with FTIR instruments generates a spectrum which can be run against a library of known substances to help identify single and multi-component sources.
Examples of FTIR analysis in food processing include:
- Identify the source of sediment in a bottled beverage
- Determine whether the quantity of insect and pest materials in foods meets acceptable levels regulated by the FDA
- Identify the source of residue found on food packaging such as snack bags
- Detect and identify microplastics present in food and beverages
FTIR is invaluable for detecting organic compounds and polymers by measuring the infrared light absorbed by materials. Its ability to provide a unique molecular fingerprint of each material makes it essential for identifying unknown organic and polymeric contaminants, and FTIR microscopy enables the inspection of very small particles.
Beyond FBI: Expanding the Horizon of HHXRF and FTIR Applications
While handheld XRF and FTIR are essential technologies for foreign body identification in food, their applications extend even further in ensuring food safety and quality.
- Handheld XRF for proactive quality control: handheld XRF analyzers can be used to ensure that all metal components in the food processing line meet specified alloy requirements. This preemptive measure is vital for preventing equipment breakdown and subsequent contamination.
- FTIR for quality and authenticity: Beyond identifying contaminants, FTIR spectrometry can be used to assess food authenticity and quality, playing a critical role in verifying food products’ integrity and adherence to quality standards.
The Critical Role of FBI in Ensuring Food Safety
Quickly identifying the makeup of foreign body contaminants in food is key for protecting brand integrity and ensuring regulatory compliance for food processors. Handheld XRF and FTIR spectrometry make a powerful analytical duo for addressing contaminant issues head on, helping to quickly determine the source and even inspecting equipment and materials to help prevent foreign body contamination in the first place.
In embracing HHXRF and FTIR, manufacturers are committed to consumer well-being and regulatory compliance, highlighting the industry’s ongoing effort to uphold the highest food safety standards.
Further resources are available for handheld XRF analysis and FTIR spectrometry applications if you’re interested in incorporating these technologies into your quality control and food processing protocols.
